Folding table



C. A. BUFFINGTON FOLDING TABLE Filed Sept. 20, 1924 3 Shoots-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 23, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CALVIN A. BUFFINGTON, OF BERKSHIBE, NEW YORK y FOLDING TABLE This invention relates to furniture. More specifically it relates to folding tables and has or one of its objects to provide improved forms of such tables. Another obj ect is to provide folding tables n which are rigid when in extended or open position.-

Still further objects are to provide folding tables which are compact when folded, comparatively easy to manipulate, durable, simple in construction, and inexpensive in view of the advantages and objects attained. Other objects and advantages will appear as the invention is hereinafter disclosed.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate what I now consider preferred forms of the invention:

Fig. 1 is an elevation showing vthe table in operative, open or extended position. Fig. 2 is an elevation showing the table in inoperative or closed, or collapsed position.

Fig. 3 is an inverted plan view of the table shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional elevation of the table taken on a vertical plane through one of the corners and extending toward adiagonally opposite corner in-Fl. 1.v F Fig 5 is a section on t e line 5-5 of Fig. 6 is a fragmentary tolplan view. Fig. 7 is a view similar to ig. 4 but illustrating a different construction which is now .preferred by me.

Fig. 8 is a detail fragmentary elevation lookirig in the direction of the arrow 8 in Fig. v

Fig. 9 is a detail plan view of a corner brace shownn'lig?.v

While the top ofthe table may be made 40 circular, oval, or in the shape of a poly on having any desired number of sides, wit in the sco e of the broader claims a pended hereto,l now prefer to make it in t e form of a square as shown in the drawings. The particular top illustrated Icomprises a frame or rim consisting of four members 10,' prefer abl of wood,m1tred at theirends and joined as y means of nails, screws, or glue, or the like, and to which a suareof paperboard 11 or the like is secure The upper surface l j j Application mea'l september 2o, 1924. -serial No. 738,749.

of the board 11 may be covered with oil cloth, fabric such as imitation moire, or other suitable material 12 lapped around under the peripherial edges of the board. It will be noted that the frame or rim members 10 are 55 shown provided with a groove or cutaway portion 13 to receive the board 11 and its covering 12 and the board 10 is shown secured to the frame by means of a plurality of angles 14, each having one leg nailed or otherwise secured to the inner side of a frame member 10 and its other leg secured to the board 11. The frame or rim of the top is shown provided withcorner braces 15, of wood or other suitable material, nailed or otherwise secured Atui to the members 10 and serving not only to strengthen and brace the frame but also for other purposes which will hereinafterfappear.

-The legs 16 are four in number in the pres- 70 ent case and are preferably-flat and substantially rectangular in cross-section and longitudinally tapering in width as shown and, if desired, they may also be made longitudinally tapering in thickness. Each of the four 'I5 legs 16 is connected to a correspondin corner of the top, the following means ing preferably employed for that purpose.

Each leg 16 is secured-by two or more screws or rlvets 17, preferabl screws so that the legs `may be attached and7 detached with facility, to a corresponding one of four metallic pivot rods or rock shaftsl 18, each mounted for oscillation about its longitudinal axis in the frame or rim of the top. This 85 mounting of the rods 18 may be conveniently effected b ournalling the ends thereof in holes drilled1 1n the frame or rim members 10.- `It will be noted that the axis of rota- -tion of each rod 18 forms an angle of 45 with 90 Figs. 2 and 8. l

While each of the legs 16 may be moved about the longitudinal axis of its rod or shaft 18, it is rigid so far as movement about any other axis is concerned. In the form of in- 5 vention shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive the outward movement (i. e. movement away vfrom the center of the top) of each leg 16 is limited to the position shown in Fig. 1 by the engagement of the leg with the inner face of a corresponding one of the braces 15. In order releasably to lock the legs 16 against movement in the opposite direct-ion (i e. away from their adjacent braces when the table is open (Fig. 1), I provide the following 15' means, orv equivalent means, for each leg.. The locking means for each leg being similar to that for any other leg, a description of one will suffice for all.

A catch member or locking dog 20, of metal 2b or other suitable material, 1s pivoted at kone end to the corner of the frame or rim of the top so as tobe movable from either of the positions shown in Fi s. 1 and 3 to the other of such positions. T is pivotal connection 25 may be effected by constructing the end of the member 20 inthe form of a loop 23, as shown, and mounting this looped end on a pivot pin 21 which ma assume the form of a finishing nail or eadless nail driven 3o throu h the corner of the frame or rim of the top o the table. The frame or rim members 10 are cut away at 22 to accommodate the loopl 23. vThe corner brace 15 is provided wit a groove 25 adapted to receive the member 20 when the table is folded (see Fig. 3). The'free end of the member 20 isk bent to form a part 26 to cooperate with the sloped or inclined (portion 27 of a hole 28 in the -leg 16. Beyon the part 26 the member 20 is curved as shown at 29, this curved portion being adapted to enter the hole 28 when the leg 16 is moved to open position. The leg 16 is provided with a groove 30 on its outer face, which groove 30 extends from the hole 28 to the upper or pivoted end of the le and is adapted to receive and serve as a gui e for the curved end 29 of the member 20. A-helica l tension sprin 31 is secured at one end to an offset interme iate portion 24 of the member-20 and at its 'other end to a pin 32 which extends at its opposite ends into slots in the frame or rim members 10. This spring moves, o1' tends to move (i. e. biases) the leg 16 to which it isfconnected to the osition shown in Fig. 3. Preferably the inclined portion 27 is provided with a metallic or other suitable wear plate 27* secured to the leg 16 in position tobe enga ed by the part 26 'of the member 20 when t e'table is open hen any le 16 is moved from the position shown in ig. 3 to that shown in F1 1, the following o erations take place. `he curved'end 29 o the cooperating member 20 65 slides 1n the groove 30 until it passes into the hole 28 at which time the part 26 of the member 20 engages the inclined portion 27, or 27 a, and, by virtue of the pull of the spring 31 on the member 20 causes the leg 16 to be firmly held or locked against the corner brace 15. In this position of parts the leg 16 is rigid and firm against movement in any and all directions with respect to the top of the table. By virtue of its connection with the rock shaft v18, the leg is prevented from moving about any axis other than the longitudinal axis of the rock shaft. The corner brace 15 prevents movement of the leg 16 outwardly beyond the position shown in Fig. 1', and, when in this position, the cooperation ofthe parts 26 and 27, or 27, prevents movement of the le 16 away from the corlner brace 15 with w ich it is in engagement.

In order to restore the leg 16 to the folded position, the user need only push the end 29 of the member 20 outwardly through4 the hole 28. The spring 31 then pulls the member 2O toward the top of the table and the free end of the member 20 forces the leg 16 toward the top of the table to the position shown in Fig. 3. p

It will be noted that when the Vlegs 16 are in the folded posit-ion (Fig. 3), the springs 31I tend to hold them in that position. I prefer also to provide means for releasably locking the legs in the folded position.` A simple form of such means is shown in the drawings' as comprising a bail 40 pivotall7 connected to one of the'legs 16 and adapt to be swung over the free end of the diagonally opposite leg 16 when the table is folded as shown in Fig. 3. When in the last mentioned position, the last mentioned le must be sprung inward somewhat so that t e bail 40 may be swung over it. Inadvertent release of the bail 40 is thus prevented.

The operation of the table may be summarized as follows. Assume first that the table is folded (Fig. 3) and that it is desired to open it. The bail 40 is disengaged with leg 16 with which it had previously been engaged. The last menti ned leg 16 is then swung awa from the top of the table until the free en of its member 20 snaps into the hole 28. The leg 16 which carries the bail 40 .is then swung away from the top of the table until the free end of its member 20-snaps into the hole 28 of that leg. This operation is then performed with respect tothe other two legs 16 in proper sequence. The table is then in open position as shown in Fi 1. To fold the table, the legs 16 are unloced, in proper sequence, by pushing the curved ends 29 of the members 20 outwardly through the holes 28. The springs 31 return the legs to folded position and the bail 40 may then be swung over thelcg 16, diagonally opposite the leg 16 which carries the bail 40, to lock the legs in folded position (Fig. 3

The table may be rein orced or braced by providin braces 100, 100, as shown in dotted lines in ig. 3. Each of these braces 100 consists of a strip of wood extending diagonally of the rim of the top and secured thereto at their ends by nails or other means. Each of these strips 100 has its upper surface Hush with the upper surface of the members lOof the rim and the depth, or vertical dimension, of each strip does not exceed the thickness of the pair of legs 16 which are adapted to lie between the strips when the table is folded. The strips 100 not only serve as braces but also aid in guiding the user of the table in the proper folding of the table.

In Figs. 7, 8 and 9, I illustrate certain different constructional features which are now preferred by me. Except in the features hereinafter described, the table as shown in Fligs. 7, 8 and 9, is the same in construction and operation as that shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive. I,

The board 1 'is secured to the rim of the top structure by nails or the like and the cover 12, of artificial moir, or the like, is stretched over the board and its edges forced down into slots 102 provided in the frame or rim members 10, strips of felt, or the like, 103 being forced into the slots 102 along with the edges of the cover 12 to hold the latter in stretched condition. The corner braces 15, shown in Figs. 1 to 6, are not provided inthe form of table now under discussion but are each replaced by a metallic bracket or brace 132, shown as formed of round rod or wire extending across its corresponding corner (see Figs. 7 ,and 9), flattened and looped at its ends to receive screws securing it to the and the member 127 to sna 'into the position shown in.v ig. 7 when its inner sides of the adjacent rim members of the top structure of the table.

In this form of the invention (i. e. in Figs.

7, 8 and 9) the locking dogs or catch members 120 are made of fiat or strip stock and cooperate with structure carried by the legs releasably to prevent movement of the legs in both directions about the axes of the rods 18. Each locking dog 120 is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 21 and the rim members 10 are cut away at 22 to accommodate the pivotal movement of the dog as in the case of the previous form of the invention. The vfree end of each member 120 is notched at 126 to receive the shank or mid portion of a corresponding one of the metallic members 127 screwed or otherwise secured to the legs 16, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. Beyond ,the notch 126, each member 120 is curved as shown at 129 adapted' to cooperate with the groove 30 automatically corresponding leg is moved toopen position.

Each leg 16 is provided with a slot 128 to receive its locking dog and topermit of the locking engagement thereof with its member 127. The springs 31 are each secured at one end to a corresponding one of the brackets .132 and' at the opposite end to` al correspondiny one of the catch members 120.

IIYhen any leg 16 is moved from folded position to the position shown in Fig. 7 the following operations take place. The curved end 129 of the cooperating member 120 slides 1n its groove 30 until it passes into the slot 128 and its notch-126 snaps over the member 127. The parts are then in the position shown in Fig. and the spring 31 holds them in this position. The notch 126 and the mid portion of the cooperating member 127 are so designed that, when the arts are in the last mentioned position, the eg is securely held against movement in both directions about the axis of the rod 18. As in the case of the form of-invention previously described, ,in order to restore the le 16 to the folded position, the user need on y push the end 129 of the member 120 outwardly through the slot 128. The spring 31 then pulls the member 120 ,toward the top of the table and the free end of the member 120 forces the leg 16 toward the top of the table.

Except for differences above noted, the construction and o eration of the form of table shown in Figs. to 9 is the same as set forth in connection with the other form, shown in Figs. 1 to 6.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have herein described the principle of operation of -m invention, together with the apparatus wlsii sider to represent the best embodiments thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus disclosed is only illustrative and that the invention can be carried out by other means. Also, while it is designed to use the various features and elements in the combinations and relations described, some of these may be altered and others omitted without interfering with the more general results outlined, and the invention extends to such use.

What I claim is:

1. A folding, table comprising in combina-v tion, a top structure, a plurality of legs each pivotally connected to said top structure, a plurality of arms each pivotally connected to said to structure at the outer side of a correspon -ng one of said legs, each of said legs being provided with' an opening adapted to receive the end of a corresponding one of said arms, and each of said arms being provided with a shoulder adapted to cooperate with the corresponding leg to lock the latter in extended position, and a plurality of helical springs connected to said top structure and each connected to a corresponding one of said arms releasably to hold said arms in leglocking position. v

2. A folding table comprising in combination, a polygonal rim and a top supported thereby, a plurality of pivot rods each extending across a corresponding corner of said rim and each extending at its opposite ends ch I now connected to a corresponding one of said pivot rods, and a plurality of locking'dogs each pivotally connected to said rim adjacent a corresponding corner thereof outside of a corresponding one ofsaid legs and adapted to extend into and lock the latter in extended Y position. c

3. The folding table set forth inclaim 2 in which resilientl means are provided for urgingthe dogs toward the top of -the table.

4. The foldmv table set forth in claimaQ in which each ci, said dogs is provided with a helical tension spring connected at one end to the dog and at its otherend to the rim.` y

5. A folding table comprising in combination, a top structure, a plurality of legs, means pivotally connecting each of said legs to said top structure whereby each of said legs save one may be folded over another le and means connected to one of said legs an adapted to engage another of said legs for locking said legs in folded position beneath said top structure. Y

6. A folding table comprising in combination, a top structure, a plurality vof legs each pivotally connected to said top structure, a plurality of arms each pivotally connected to said top structure at the outer side of a corresponding one of said legs, each of said` legs being provided with an' opening adapted to receive the end of a corresponding one of said arms and with a locking device, each of said arms being provided with a notch adapted to receive the locking device carried by the corresponding leg to lock the latter in extended position against movement`- in both directions Aabout its pivotal axis, and a plurality of helical springs connected to said top structure and each connected to a corresponding one of said arms releasably to hold said arms in leg-locking position.

7. A folding table comprising in combinaerationueach loc e to said top structure, each of saidlocking dogs being disposed adjacent a correspondingA leg and without the quadrant traversed by a corresponding leg during a. leg pivoting opextend into ap'slotm a corresponding le and lock the corresponding'leg in extende osition by coaction with said engaging memer. f

9. A folding table comprising in combination a top structure, a plurality of legs pivotally connected to said top structure, a plurality of locking arms pivotally connected to said to structure, one of said arms being rovided or each of said legs and dispose at the rim side of its associated leg as distinguished from the side of its associated leg acing the center of said top structure, and a plurality of springs connected to said top structure, each spring being connected to a corresponding one of said arms releasably to nature.

` CALVIN A. BUFFINGTON.

tion, a. polygonalrim and 4a top supported Y thereby, a plurality of pivot rods each extendingacross a corresponding corner of said rim and each extending at'its opposite ends into said rim, a plurality of le s each connected to a corresponding one of said `pivot rods, a plurality of corner braces each connected at its opposite ends to said rim, a plurality of arms veach pivotally connected to said rim adjacent a corresponding corner'thereof outside. of a corresponding one of said legs and adapted to cooperate with said legs, and a plurality of ing dog being adapted to e hold said arms in leg-locking position and for tension springs each connected at one end to a corresponding one of said corner braces and at its opposite end to the intermediate portion of a corresponding one of said arms.

8. A folding table comprising in combination, a polygonal top structure, a plurality of legs, each leg having a slot and an engageable member, means pivotally connecting each of said legs to said top structure adjacent acorrelsponding corner of said top structure, and

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